Microsoft Access Database Projects

Whenever possible, the databases are provided in both Access 2.0 and Access 2003 formats. The two versions are usually very similar but not identical because later development was only done on the 2003 version. In a few cases, the 2.0 version has features that the later one doesn't, or that are implemented differently.

Importing and Converting:

An Access 2.0 database that has no forms, reports, or code modules should import and convert to a later version of Access with no problems. If it does have forms, reports, or code, you can convert it to 2003 format with the excellent (and free) Microsoft Access 2.0 Converter.

Security Warnings

When you open some of the databases, you'll get a warning about opening the Utility.mda module. This appears to be a built-in module of Office/Access. I don't know which database features require its use, and also don't know why Access doesn't know enough to trust its own modules!, but it evidently is required for proper functioning, so at some point you do need to allow it to run. You don't have to let it run while you're just reviewing the database for the first time. At startup, you will probably also be warned about my digital certificate. Please see the note about that here.

Databases

Books.mdb - Books Database

A database for managing detailed information about a collection of books.

 

Records.mdb - Phonograph record or CD database (classical)

A database for managing a collection of phonograph records or CDs. It also includes an artificial intelligence / learning systems project with a set of routines that automatically extracts data items from scanned album cover text, categorizes them, and transfers the data into the correct fields of the database, reducing the keystrokes required. Each record of this database corresponds to a composition, song, or track on a record.

 

MyRecords.mdb - Simple phonograph record or CD database

A much simpler database for a collection of records or CDs. Each record of this database corresponds to an entire album (record or CD).

 

MyTapes.mdb - for Reel-to-reel, cassette, or VCR tapes

For tapes that use an odometer-like counter to record locations. 2 formats for printing inserts to go in the tape boxes.

 

Expenses.mdb - Personal or Household Expense Database

A database for storing expense records and grouping them into categories to get category totals, plus queries to summarize the data in different ways, and some reports. Simple, but it's worked for me for 20 years.

 

FAMHIST.MDB - Family History / Genealogy / Family Tree Database

A genealogy (family history, family tree) database that stores information about your ancestors and the relationships among them. It has a form that allows you to easily navigate up and down generations and across spousal relationships just by clicking buttons. Maybe a pretty good example of how to create a complex form in Access. The download page has screenshots of it.

 

INVENTRY.MDB - Household Inventory Database

A simple database for creating an inventory of household items, such as you might prepare for insurance purposes.

 

WebStats.mdb - Website Log Statistics Database

A database for analyzing raw web server access logs that are in Combined Log Format (CLF). It doesn't replace Webalizer or other statistics programs, but it does generate some useful reports and statistics, and has the advantage of being a general purpose database in which you can create any new queries or reports you want.

 

WTalk.mdb - Dictionary database

The WTalk.cpp natural language processing (NLP) chatbot project uses WTalk.mdb to store its dictionary and world knowledge data. It manages the database by sending SQL commands to it via Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE). The project is for Windows 3.1 and the methods are obsolete, but they were interesting and workable. The database has examples of multiple tables in complex linking relationships, some unusual queries based on those relationships, and some unusual code modules that serve as examples of AccessBasic / Visual Basic (VB). The Access 2003 version of the database is part of that project's downloadable zip file.

 

Amateur Radio Net Control - Checks members into a ham radio net

Provides a table for managing call signs, names, cities, and a complex form that a Net Control Operator can use when checking people into an on-air radio net. The project has a C++ program that is a considerably more efficient interface than the database for taking roll call. However, the database has quite a bit of Access Basic / Visual Basic code in it, and might be of interest if you are looking for examples.

 

Scanner frequencies and broadcast radio stations

Databases for maintaining lists of scanning radio frequencies and broadcast or short wave radio stations.

 

Toastmasters International club membership database (and other files)

Database to maintain the membership list of a Toastmasters International public speaking club. The project also has Microsoft Word templates and other files useful to club officers.